Volume One - Into the Victorian Age - Some newspaper reports from the 1880's

When in is considered that there are only ten tips at this dock, and one of those was stopped for some eight months of the year, being rebuilt the amount of work performed must be deemed highly satisfactory, and reflects great praise on those who have the management of the dock. The largest quantity shipped in one week was 49,354 tons 10 cwt., and the most in one day 11,354 tons 3 cwt. ; the highest tipped at one tip in one day was 2,119 tons 5 cwt.

During the year, 1,585 steam and sailing vessels entered the dock, having an aggregate nett register tonnage of 1,167,266 tons ; this is 90,704 tons in excess of the total tonnage of 1881, although the number of vessels in 1881 exceeded last year by 125. It will therefore be seen that a much larger class of vessel visited the dock last year than hitherto.

The imports have been good, 5,000 standard of deals and 4,000 loads of timber having been received, besides large quantities of esparto, china, clay, pitwood, iron ore, gas coal, cement, cotton seed, and various other merchandise.

The dock extension work has been carried on rapidly, and it is anticipated will be completed towards the close of the year. It will provide four additional coal staithes, and a corresponding number of cranes or quay berths.

At the Penarth Patent Slipway, the personnel was altered during the past year, Mr. G. Cooper, the manager, having resigned, and was succeeded by Mr. B. Munroe, formerly engineer of the works. 127 steam and 31 sailing vessels, chiefly those of a large class were received for repairs. In addition to this work, a small paddle saloon steamer has been built, and will be launched immediately when completed. We believe she is intended as the first of a small line of boats to be run with passengers between Cardiff and Penarth. The keel of a cargo steamer was also laid at these works, and the vessel is now in frame and partly plated. She is 120 feet in length, with a beam of 20 feet, and 9 feet of hold, and it is estimated will carry about 400 tons dead weight cargo when finished." Cardiff Times [019] 6th January 1883.

• February 1883 - Penarth - Inquest - "The body of a seaman, supposed to have committed suicide by jumping from the deck of the steamship Argosy on the 11th of last month, was found floating in the dock on the 15th inst. An inquest was held on Saturday, when the jury brought in a verdict of "Found drowned." The Coroner remarked that the Dock Company had been very neglectful in not having the water dragged at the time." Weekly Mail [067] 24rd February 1883.